To all Friends of and Enlistees in the Allatoona Texas Monument Campaign (ATMC):
Thank you once again for your dedication, and efforts promoting this campaign. On behalf of the monument committee, I want to bring you up to date on plans and progress.
The time of the monument dedication ceremony on October 5th has been changed to 3:30 PM, to accommodate participants. Mr. James Hamilton, Chief Ranger at Red Top Mountain State Park, will be master of ceremonies. Mr. Chuck Carlock of Ft. Worth, Texas, will be keynote speaker, and Mr. John Ben Williams, Minister of Music at Shady Grove Baptist Church, Deberry, Texas, will lead songs including "Rock of Ages," "The Yellow Rose of Texas," and "Amazing Grace." Col. Ken Padgett of Georgia will command the honor guard. The battlefield is northwest of Atlanta. Proceed northbound on Interstate 75, exit at Emerson-Allatoona (#282) and then eastbound for 1.5 miles, crossing the railroad. Continue past the parking lot at the levee, and proceed another three quarters of a mile to the former marina for parking. Shuttles will then provide rides to the battlefield. The nearest motels are at exits 285 and 290. For lodging information, you can access the Etowah Valley Historical Society (EVHS) website at evhsonline.org and clink on "links," then scroll down to the Cartersville Convention/Visitors Bureau.
In order to finish this campaign, the committee needs your help in publicizing this project through your various networks, organizations and newsletters. You can assist by sharing news of the campaign with your local newspaper. If you want the committee to send a press release to a newspaper, please forward the address, and I will be glad to comply.
We also request your assistance in locating descendants of the soldiers in the four Texas units in action at Allatoona Pass: the Ninth Texas Infantry, and the Tenth, Fourteenth, and Thirty-Second Texas Cavalry Regiments. During the monument dedication ceremony, I will call out a soldier, and a relative or comrade will answer "Present." Currently we have the names of ten soldiers for this ceremony. A relative of General M. D. Ector, Mr. John Ector of Georgia, will also be recognized during the roll call.
Thanks to each of you who have given to this project. To those of you who have pledged support, and not yet sent in your contribution, please do so at your earliest convenience. October 5th is approaching, at double time. Please forward contributions to the Etowah Valley Historical Society (EVHS), P.O. Box 1886, Cartersville, Georgia, 30120, designated for the Texas monument. Your prompt support ensures that this campaign will finish on schedule. For your information, the EVHS is a 501.3.c organization.
If you have any questions about this campaign, please contact me at 6334 Bay Hill Drive, Abilene, Texas, 79606. My e-mail is willtcw@earthlink.net, phone number 915-692-9387.Abilene, Texas (08-09-02)